Bonding Kitchen Revisited @ Orchard Gateway

Brought my colleagues to Bonding Kitchen to try Chef Danny's delicious food. Last visit was in April where my Primary school mates enjoyed the food during our rare gathering.

For guests visiting the restaurant for the first time in a group of 4 pax, I will recommend the set menu as it contains all the favourite dishes.

We pre-ordered the bakwan kepiting soup to share and added a bottle of red. After the meal, we realised that this combination could have easily fed 6 pax.

1st Appetiser

Keropok Ikan and Belinjo

Achar

The first appetisers were polished off before the rice arrived. The achar was pretty good. But better to eat it with rice.

2nd Appetiser

Kueh Pie Tee

Selected the Kueh Pie Tee for the team and helped to assemble for them, complimentary service. They seemed happy.

Wine

Housepour Gold Trees Shiraz (U.P $38)

Pre-Order Soup

Bakwan Kepiting Soup @$16 (pre-order)

impressive homely taste

The bakwan kepiting soup is pricey. And, first thing my colleague said was, "Where's the crab shell..."  

The soup was smooth, much like a cream soup texture yet not that full-on creamy. Soothing, comforting familiar taste with sweetness and savoury from the ingredients. The meatball was flavourful and slightly larger than a golf-sized ball. Enjoyable!

For the mains, I recommended the Hokkien Lor Ark, Ayam Buah Keluak, and Sotong Masak Hitam as one of my colleague, doesn't take beef. Otherwise, the Wagyu Beef Rendang is a must.

Main Course

Sotong Masak Hitam

Ayam Buah Keluak

Hokkien Lor Ark

They were pretty impressed by the sotong, as per my first experience then as well. Keke. For the ayam buah keluak, it came with additional paste for the connoisseur to add on to their rice. Very strong flavours there! Lor ark was lovely, as usual.

Otah

One dish that surprised everyone, was the Otah. This unassuming and common dish, was super tasty with the right balance of refreshing and spicy. So yummy!

Vegetable

Nonya Chap Chye

The portions were good and no one left hungry. All of us were super stuffed that night.

Dessert

Chendol (front), Gula Melaka Panna Cotta (back)

have some

We spent about $60 per pax. Reservation is recommended and happy to see Chef Danny again.

Bonding Kitchen Singapore

Address: 277 Orchard Rd, #02-18, Singapore 238858

Website: https://bondingkitchen.weebly.com/

Contact: 8860 9087

Business Hours:

Sat - Thurs: 11:00am–3pm, 5:00–9:30pm

Fri : 11:00am–3pm, 5:00–9:30pm

Enjoyable Time Delicious Food @ Bonding Kitchen Orchard Gateway

Decided on Bonding Kitchen for a mini gathering with Secondary schoolmates as the dishes by Chef Danny are something that I enjoy having, plus location is rather central. Reservation was made and confirmed via WhatsApp, a week earlier. The place is usually busy during PH and weekends, hence do make a reservation to avoid disappointment.

interior

lovely colour scheme

Set Menu

Decided on the Set Menu for 4 pax as that allows us to enjoy the signatures plus enough variety to try. And, as I mentioned during first visit, I'd be back to try the wine. The group prefers white, so we tried the Sauvignon Blanc. Tasted fresh, easy to drink with lemony notes.

let it pour

Gold Trees Sauvignon Blanc @$38++

Fish and Belinjau Keropok with fiery Sambal

Kueh Pie Tee Set for 4 pax

The kueh pie tee is a fun set, as the components were nicely laid out and diner could try their hand assembling it prettily. If you have friends that do not want to do that, someone in that party will have to step up as the assembler for all. Hahaaa!

beautiful prawn

lava quail egg? So dainty

kueh pie tee, assembled

The kueh pie tee was pretty to look at, and tasty with crisp shell. Just don't leave it out for too long. Loved that there's pork lard topping for those who enjoy.

For mains, we started with Wagyu Beef Rendang, followed by our choice of Ayam Buah Keluak. Enjoyed with blue pea rice (included in the set).

Wagyu Beef Rendang

Ayam Buah Keluak

blue pea rice

The wagyu beef rendang tasted as good as the first time, and those kerisik goes so well with the rice. Was impressed with ayam buah keluak. The sauce and those tender chunks of chicken were so good to eat. It's hard to stop at just one bowl of rice.

Sotong Masak Hitam

My friends were surprised by the taste of Sotong Masak Hitam. I know, because that was my first reaction as well. For me, the Nyonya Chap Chye at Bonding Kitchen is the tastiest from all the nyonya chap chye I've tasted by far.

Nyonya Chap Chye

While it was tempting to add another bowl of rice, actually one is enough as there's still dessert!

Gula Melaka Panna Cotta

The dessert was good too! Panna cotta was so wobbly and soft, yet retained abit of sticky-ness. Loved the gula melaka sauce as well with the right sweetness and fragrance.

yummy

I liked all the dishes presented in the Set Menu and everything was tasty. Come try!

Bonding Kitchen Singapore

Address: 277 Orchard Rd, #02-18, Singapore 238858

Website: https://bondingkitchen.weebly.com/

Contact: 8860 9087

Business Hours:

Sat - Thurs: 11:30am–3pm, 5:30–10:30pm

Fri : 11:30am–3pm, 5–10:30pm

[Tasting] Godmama @ Funan SG

Have you visited the just re-opened Funan? After undergoing a $560 million renovation and redesign, the new Funan opened its doors once again on 28 Jun. Plenty of food, cafes and lifestyle shops in there, as well as the old favourites like camera and tech shops.

Funan v2.0

Was invited to a brunch tasting at Godmama, a new restaurant that serves Peranakan inspired food. Spanking new, and has both outdoor and indoor dining area. At 11am, the sun could get a bit hot in our sunny Singapore hence, we sought refuge in the cool confines of the air-conditioned dining area.

interior - lovely handpainted artwork

Met up with co-owners Christina and Derrick, and found out that Godmama is inspired by Christina's mama and godmother, and hence the name. Head Chef Fred too has Peranakan roots and the menu at Godmama is a new play on familiar flavours, catering to the younger generation.

Lychee Kris Earl Grey @$8.50

Iced Mocha @$7.50

Kris just had to order her namesake drink, the Lychee Kris Earl Grey, which is under the premium tea selection by Ette Tea Co. My iced mocha was really 'gao' (thick!). Wow.

All-Star Egg Skin Popiah @$6.50

For appetiser, we had the Godmama's Special - the All-Star Egg Skin Popiah. The perennial favourite of stewed sweet turnip, encased in a soft egg crepe with the usual sprouts and lettuce. It was wrapped with a dash of chili on the skin, which gave the dish an instant lift. The chili got power!

Next up, we tried the innovative Ayam Buah Keluak Burger. A firm piece of chicken patty that was well-grilled, dabbed with pureed sambal buah keluak (black nut), topped with onions and tomatoes and a sunny side up. Served with sesame burger buns and a side dish of emping belinjo (crackers). Do ask for some sambal belachan for the emping!

Ayam Buah Keluak Burger @$21.90

side profile

If you'd like more carbs, how about a plate of Buah Keluak Bolognese Pasta. This is a beef bolognese linguine tossed in Godmama’s classic nyonya buah keluak sauce. Quite a substantial dish, and you'd be hungry no more. The beef bolognese was pretty good and one could get that yummy beefy taste immediately. It was a pity that the buah keluak flavours were rather toned down.

Buah Keluak Bolognese Pasta @$19.90

The Godmama’s Otak Otak Benedict is another signature dish in the brunch menu. Poached eggs ontop of a large otak square, with a piece of their lovely artisanal sourdough bread at the bottom.

Godmama’s Otak Otak Benedict @$19.90

The mackerel otak otak was not spicy and the fish quality was good. This dish be enjoyed by both the young and old. I'd prefer a spicier version though.

Babi Assam Baked Eggs @$16.90

If you're looking at just one item for brunch, I'd recommend the Babi Assam Baked Eggs. Served piping hot, this dish has Godmama’s signature belly of pork simmered in an aromatic tamarind stew. The pork pieces were cut small and the babi assam stew was rightfully tangy that made it such a joy to eat with the freshly baked sourdough bread. Break the egg, mix it around, tear a piece of that bread, dip, dunk and get some of those pork pieces on top and enjoy. Guaranteed yums!

For dessert, I had my eyes on Banana Pengat Buttermilk Pancakes. Pancakes is just so right to eat for brunch. Banana pengat? Yes please!

Banana Pengat Buttermilk Pancakes  @$17.90

doused with sweet  Peranakan coconut milk and banana compote and coconut crumble with vanilla ice-cream at the side

Warm fluffy buttermilk pancake stack, with delectable sweet banana pengat sauce. Loved the local flavours! Warm sweet sauce, soft airy pancakes with cold vanilla ice-cream was a good way to end the meal.

Thank you Kris for the invite and Godmama for hosting the tasting. Congratulations on your store opening!

Godmama

Address: Funan Mall, 109 North Bridge Rd, #04-07
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godmamasg/
Contact: 6970 0828
Business Hours:
Sun to Thur - 11am to 2.30pm, 6pm to 10pm
Fri to Sat - 1030am to 4.30pm, 6pm to 12am

[Tasting] All-You-Can-Eat Nonya Popiah @ The Peranakan

The Peranakan All-You-Can-Eat Nonya Popiah

The Peranakan is an elegant restaurant located at Level 2 Claymore Connect, where one could enjoy flavourful homely Peranakan dishes from the kitchen of Chef Raymond Khoo's culinary team. Of recent, they are having a Sat/Sun All-You-Can-Eat Nonya Popiah for just $28 per pax. The DIY popiah buffet is available from 230pm to 530pm on weekends. During this introductory period, the popular mee siam is included as well as Lemongrass Pandan Tea.

All-You-Can-Eat Nonya Popiah

The ingredients are laid out on a communal table, and gently pry open two pieces of the popiah skin from the container and one could throw in a leaf or two of fresh lettuce, spread it with some sweet sauce and that bright red chili paste, then add a few sprouts for that traditional crunch, a dab of minced garlic for extra shiokness, I liked mine with lots of hard boiled egg, some slices of boiled prawns and finally the sweet cooked turnip with pork belly.

pile it up!

The challenge was of course to fold the popiah. On first try, the popiah skin had failed to contain the mountain of ingredients in it. That's the consequences for being greedy! But never mind lah, still can makan! The taste of the fried turnip was good, and naturally sweetened with the lovely pork belly.

deconstructed popiah

In the midst of all the fun in folding your own popiah, one could whet their appetite by slurping up bowls after bowls of the delectably tangy mee siam. Do note that this might be alternated with laksa goreng. Dab a bit of the powerful sambal on the dining table and the mee siam was elevated to another realm. So shiok!

mee siam

laksa goreng

After some tries, I think I got the hang of things, and so here's the presentable popiah, with skin that almost threatened to break (actually it did, but salvageable!), neatly sliced into 3 not-so-bite-sized parts (with the help of a sharper knife), plated without anything falling onto the floor and garnished with a stalk of parsley.

popiah

Ala-carte Dishes (Not Part of All-You-Can-Eat)

If you're still hungry or need another type of carbs, fret not as The Peranakan has a special dish called Nasi Buah Keluak. Rice that has the full flavours of buah keluak, made even more refreshing with herbs and served with achar sambal timun. If this is not yums, I don't know what is!

Nasi Buah Keluak (separate ala-carte order)

Dessert (Not Part of All-You-Can-Eat)

Have you tried apom bokwa before? I have not even seen one until that day at The Peranakan! It looked really cute and has bunga telang (blue pea) giving it a dash of colour. The small pancakes are fluffy and served with sweet pengat pisang with gula melaka sauce.

apom bokwa @$12

jemput makan

Don't forget the Pandan Gula Melaka cake and it is still one of my favourite. And a pot of Malacca Coffee or Milk Tea is the best pairing for the dessert.

Gula Melaka Pandan Cake @$6.50

A pot of Malacca Milk Tea @$6.50

If you prefer shaved ice, then how about a Chendol Melaka? You can have it with or without the durian pengat. Or, get a bowl of durian pengat for yourself!

Chendol Melaka @$6.50

pengat durian

Once again, thank you Hence (@chubbybotakkoala) for extending the invite and Chef Raymond Khoo and The Peranakan team for hosting the tasting. Enjoyed your warm hospitality and the great tasting heritage dishes.